Day 14 - Favorite Latino Musician

This is such a hard post because there are so many musicians I haven't even explored! So I'll give 3 of my favorites in no particular order!

First of course - Marc Anthony. Let's be serious, my mother is Puerto Rican and my sister knows every single song ever by him. Growing up, I wasn't particularly interested in getting to know this salsa soul however, his album of hits dropped while I was in college "Desde un Principio" and one day at my aunt's house, they played the album straight through and it was like Marc Anthony took my hand guided me into the light. The 2 additional songs not in this album, "Palabras Del Alma" and "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien" are the other two songs that have an impact on me and serve as a pleasant reminder of two past relationships. Many of us associate songs with particularly people and these are 2 of mine. I owe Marc Anthony a lot since I learned a lot of Spanish through his songs, as did my sister when she was younger.

Second, though not in order, would have to be Juan Luis Guerra. Many of his songs were played throughout my childhood as my mother cleaned the house and cooked dinner. Even as I cook dinner, I find it helpful to have music playing and typically it ends up being Spanish music. The song the stands out the most for me probably the most mainstreamed, don't judge - "Burbujas de Amor." My family lives in the uptown side of Manhattan and the rest deep in Queens or near Bay Ridge Brooklyn so the drive on weekends to visit were long and boring to a 5 year old. I remember this song being my favorite because of the soft beat and soothing voice. Later on in life, it became one of my most listened to tracks when mellowing out or trying to fall asleep since I have a thing about sleeping with some type of background noise. Overall, he is a staple in our culture and I am happy he was introduced into my life.

Lastly, I will mentioned Shakira. Besides how gorgeous she is and how much of a unique voice she has - I am most inspired by her hit "La Tortura." Released in 2005, I remember when I first heard the song - the video played in MTV's early morning cycle of music videos and I was so confused as to what was happening. At this time, I was taking classes over the summer at Syracuse and was enveloped in my own bubble of academics and standing near a fan trying to escape the summer heat. A all Spanish song because played on mainstream media, reminiscent of Ricky Martin's "Living La Vida Loca" but not as Spanglish. It went on to become one of the most popular Spanish tracks in the world and obviously a milestone for our Latino musicians. It was a defining summer for me on many levels but this song was definitely a highlight and a significant moment in our history.

Whew! That was hard to limit.. maybe there will be a part 2...
Z

Day 13 – Afro Latinos you see everyday

*Note: a bit behind on my blogging.... life interrupted this wonderful experiment but hopefully I can get back on track...

Few things funny about this title:

1. Maybe people will be confused with what Afro-Latinos mean... and possibly laugh.
2. Another term I use that can be compared: Blacktino
3. Folks who fit the description of what an Afro Latino is ... may not take nicely to the term or feel it even necessary

What I've learned about Afro Latinos is pretty clear - it is clearly a term of self-identification. I don't think anyone has ever seen it as "cop-out" to not being one of the other, but merely just a recognition that there is more to them that meets the eye. Frankly I think we run into this type of folks everyday and not even realize it. Not all darker skinned Latinos experience the need to prefix the Afro in describing their culture because of a well rounded knowledge of the Spanish Language. Those who do not know that language end up having to identify themselves as Blacktino because they don't want to lose that side of them.

In talking to some proud Black folks, I have noticed a trend of rolling eyes or even snickering at the term Afro Latino - and not even in a malicious way. They just feel it's redundant in its definition or even unnecessary. I have always agreed that people are better in collaboration than division however being Black and being Latino may have its similarities in struggle, culture and history but its unfair to group all of us together in one lump sum.

And is the point of my post. When you think about the term Afro-Latino, it's the in between of 2 sides - one side of completely separating the two culture and forcing you to choose one, and the other side of eliminating the difference all together. Why should it be one or the other? I see them every day struggling to place on this scale they fall into...

- Z

Day 12 – Do I speak Spanish?

I was just chatting with my sister about this ---- it kind of annoys me if I say something in Spanish a certain way and someone answer back in the way THEY say it. For example "... y habichuelas rojas.." "frijoles?" ... "-_- si...." (Those beans were definitely red by the way ...) As if to say I said it wrong - and maybe they didn't mean it that way  but sometimes they do.

Second story:

Person A: "Quieres con-con?" 

Me: "Huh?" 

Person A: "You don't know what con-con is?.." 

Me: "No... mom, what's con-con?" 

Mom: "Oh, it's the same as pegao"

Person A: "Ugh... you made her a Puerto Rican"
(con - con/pegao - the slightly burned rice that gets stuck to the bottom of the pan when you make rice a certain way)

Like I've said before, I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker which already makes me feel bad - but this conversation happened when I was younger and already annoyed at the fact that people don't get that people can't just pick up a language past a certain age. Then to have something like this happen, is not motivating or productive. She made me into a Puerto Rican?? Nationalism is real, and I think its wonderful to be proud of where you came from BUT you cross a line when you put another Latino nation down and make yourself higher.

The above conversation happens all the time even to fluent Spanish speakers. The great thing about our people is that we look so different from each other, act so different but despite small hiccups our Spanish is one of the few things that connects us as a people. Yet we still choose to align ourselves with whether you say "habichuela" or "frijoles" / "con-con" or "pegao" / even the way you curse can draw scoffs and even prejudices.

The fact is Spanish is beautiful language and considered skill in this country who is rapidly because a bilingual nation. So instead of criticizing each other, we should use this connection to our advantage.

Apologies if I spelled any Spanish words wrong..
Z